CarBrief

The 2011 Dodge Charger has 12 recalls on file with NHTSA[1], including air bag inflator and alternator recalls. Owners filed 699 complaints, most often about the electrical system[2][3].

699owner complaints[2]
12recalls[1]
18–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 699 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Dodge Charger[2]. Of those, 25 mention a crash, 64 a fire and 16 an injury, and none report a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints Fires named
Electrical System[3] 396 46
Exterior Lighting[5] 158 20
Engine[6] 87 7
Fuel/Propulsion System[7] 81 0
Brakes[8] 53 4
Air Bags[9] 52 0
Steering[10] 39 2
Electronic Stability Control[11] 39 4

In the sample of electrical complaints we read, owners describe warning lights, hands-free phone and touch screen trouble, and keyless entry problems. Some describe the car shutting down while driving[3]. The median mileage at failure for the group is 57,000 miles[3].

In the sample of lighting complaints we read, In the sample of lighting complaints we read, owners describe a low beam headlight going out, and several mention melted or burned wiring[5].. Recall 14V101 below deals with a headlight harness on some cars[12].

In the fuel sample, owners describe a gas smell or leak, often after filling the tank[7]. In the engine sample, owners describe stalling or a car that does not respond to the gas pedal[6].

Air bag complaints are fewer at 52, but they include 14 crashes and 10 injuries, the most injuries of any group in the table[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2011 Charger[1]. Here they are, newest first. Delete the sentence, or write: Most notices list Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403[13], while 13V118 lists 1-800-247-9753[14].

Fuel economy

EPA lists these ratings for the 2011 Charger, all with an automatic 5-speed[4]. The yearly fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[4].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Est. yearly fuel cost
3.6L 6-cylinder, rear-wheel drive[24] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200
5.7L 8-cylinder, rear-wheel drive, midgrade fuel[25] 16 / 25 / 19 $4,000
5.7L 8-cylinder, all-wheel drive, regular fuel[26] 15 / 23 / 18 $3,700

EPA also lists the 3.6L on gasoline or E85 with the same ratings[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-star ratings are listed as not rated for the 4-door rear-wheel-drive and 4WD versions[27][28]. That means there is no star rating to compare. It does not say the car did badly.

Engine and size

EPA's test car list rates the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 292 hp[29].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications, so a US car can differ slightly. All three versions listed are 200 in long, 75 in wide and 58 in tall, with a 120 in wheelbase[30][31][32]. Weight changes by version.

Version Curb weight
4-door RWD SE/SXT/SXT Plus[32] 3,962 lb
4-door RWD R/T and R/T Road and Track[31] 4,253 lb
4-door AWD R/T[30] 4,449 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

2006: 1,294 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 570 complaints, 5 recalls2008: 624 complaints, 5 recalls20082009: 175 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 238 complaints, 6 recalls20102011: 699 complaints, 12 recalls69920112012: 661 complaints, 15 recalls20122013: 367 complaints, 9 recalls2014: 346 complaints, 10 recalls20142015: 136 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 182 complaints, 5 recalls20162017: 128 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 122 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 120 complaints, 5 recalls2020: 58 complaints, 3 recalls20202021: 35 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 16 complaints, 3 recalls20222023: 26 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 24 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 39 complaints, 3 recalls2026: 5 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Charger model year. The 2011 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061,2945
20075705
20086245
20091756
20102386
201169912
201266115
20133679
201434610
20151367
20161825
20171284
20181226
20191205
2020583
2021352
2022163
2023262
2024243
2025393
202651

NHTSA counts 699 complaints and 12 recalls for the 2011 Charger[1]. Among the Charger years listed, only 2006 has more complaints (1,294), and only 2012 has more recalls (15)[1].

2010 has 238 complaints and 6 recalls[1]. 2012 has 661 complaints and 15 recalls[1]. 2013 has 367 complaints and 9 recalls[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough signal.

Should you buy a used 2011 Charger?

The 2011 Charger has the second most complaints and second most recalls of the Charger years NHTSA lists[1]. Three recalls involve a passenger air bag inflator that may explode[13][15][18], and three involve an alternator that may fail and stall the car[16][17][21]. Each recall has a free dealer remedy in its notice, so ask for proof that every repair was done. Have the headlights and fuel area checked too, since owners in our samples describe problems there[5][7]. Our data cannot tell you about oil, towing or tires.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 699 complaints[2]. Electrical is the largest group at 396[3], followed by exterior lighting at 158[5]. In the samples we read, owners describe warning light and keyless glitches, headlight wiring damage and fuel smell[3][5][7].
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Charger have?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls[1]. They cover passenger air bag inflators, alternators, headlights, side air bags, the ABS fuse and a jack issue[13][16][12][14][22][19].
What is the gas mileage of a 2011 Dodge Charger?
EPA rates the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined MPG[24]. The 5.7L 8-cylinder is 16/25/19 with rear-wheel drive[25] and 15/23/18 with all-wheel drive[26]. with rear-wheel drive[25] and 15/23/18 with all-wheel drive[26].
Is the 2011 Charger a bad year compared with other years?
It has the second most complaints (699) and second most recalls (12) of the Charger years NHTSA lists[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How much horsepower does the 2011 Dodge Charger have?
EPA's test car list rates the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 292 hp[29].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Charger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. NHTSA has 699 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Dodge Charger (25 mention a crash, 64 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 396 complaints name the electrical system component group (6 crashes, 46 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Charger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 158 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 20 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 87 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,850). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 81 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 53 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 52 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 39 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 39 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 14V101, filed March 4, 2014: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V018, filed January 15, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 13V118, filed April 3, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V021, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V435, filed July 10, 2017: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V739, filed October 13, 2016: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 16V043, filed January 28, 2016: Structure. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 15V467, filed July 27, 2015: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 14V634, filed October 8, 2014: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 12V197, filed May 2, 2012: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 12V042, filed February 7, 2012: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers. NHTSA recall database
  24. EPA rating for Charger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Charger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,000. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Charger AWD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR 4WD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Dodge Charger with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 292 hp. www.epa.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHARGER 4DR SEDAN AWD R/T AWD: length 200 in, width 75 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,449 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHARGER 4DR SEDAN RWD R/T/R/T ROAD AND TRACK: length 200 in, width 75 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,253 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHARGER 4DR SEDAN RWD SE/SXT/SXT PLUS: length 200 in, width 75 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 3,962 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.